Mr. Amoako Attah operating the machine to cut the sod for the project to begin. With him are Mr. Samara, Titus-Glover, Mr. Ahenkorah and other dignitaries

The sod was cut yesterday for the commencement of the upgrading of the Tema Community three beach road junction project.

The 7-km single carriageway is being financed by the Meridian Port Services (MPS) at the cost of GH¢40 million.

The project is expected to deal with the increased traffic resulting from the Tema port expansion project.

China Harbour Engineering Company is undertaking the improvement works with AECOM Professional Services Ghana Limited acting as the engineering supervising consultant.

It is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2019.

The objective of the road project is to create a new large round about and four new slip roads to reduce the number of vehicles approaching the roundabout.

The project would also create an upgraded access and egress lanes to the North, East and Westerly approaches and a new access at grade railway cross to the new port.

Speaking at the ceremony the Minister for Roads, Mr. AmoakoKwasiAttah, thanked the MPS for the important corporate social initiative and the Tema motorway slipway improvement it executed a few months back that helped eased traffic flow at that section of the highway.

Mr. AmoakoAttah urged other corporate bodies to emulate that example and support government to improve road networks in the country.

He appealed to road users to observe traffic management measures put in place by the contractor to ensure safety and smooth execution of the project.

Mr. AmoakoAttah revealed that under the second phase of the project the MPS would construct an eight lane carriageway from the Meridian roundabout through the Tema General Hospital to the Ashaiman interchange of the motorway.

The Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mohammed Samara, outlining the details of the project said it would entail earthworks covering 45,000 cubic meters, pavement of 30,000 square metres of reinforced concrete.

He said 2-km of drains would be constructed with four gantries of traffic signage and street lighting involving 50 light poles.

Mr. Samara noted that the project would significantly reduce travel time and cut down on accidents resulting from commuters’ eagerness to exit gridlock within the Tema enclave.

The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr. Michael A. Luguje, in a speech read for him, said the road improvement would facilitate the smooth transport of increased containers arriving at the Tema port after the expansion project.

He said the GPHA would take steps to revive earlier detailed designs and project documents that were planned for the port of Tema access roads.

The Deputy Minister for Transport, DanierlNiiKwatei Titus-Glover, said the project would help create seamless flow of traffic in and around the port.

He appealed to drivers to drive safely especially during the Christmas to avoid accidents.

Titus-Glover made reference to statistics from the ministry to the effect that 1,500 people died in 10,025 crashes recorded this year.

The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, pleaded with the contractor to employ youth from the constituency on the project.

The Tema Mantse, NiiAdjeiKraku II, advised workers on the project not to steal construction materials.